Fleas are a common pest that can cause substantial damage to your pets and even your home. It is important to identify them as soon as they are spotted, so they are removed as quickly as possible. But that’s easier said than done, they’re tiny!
What do fleas look like to the human eye? Fleas look like tiny black specs, just on the edge of human vision.
Identifying these wingless jumpers is not always easy as they are very small. They possess hard shells, which make them difficult to spot in dark areas or under fur coats or other clothing. If you are unsure about the flea infestation, look for the repeated symptoms.
The most common symptoms of flea bites include redness, swelling, itching, and a rash. Fleas are usually found on dogs but can also be found on cats and other animals such as rabbits and rodents.
Here are some ways through which you can identify the live fleas in your surroundings:
- Look for dark specks of flea dirt on the skinÂ
- The behavior changes in pets; for instance, they start to scratch excessively
- Observe the pet’s skin as the bitten area is red, swollen, and irritated
In this article, we will go over what fleas look like, differentiate them from other pests, and explain how we can find them in our surroundings.
What Do Fleas Look Like to the Human Eye?
Yes, fleas are visible to the human eye. But it’s way easier to see them with a magnifying glass, so grab one if you’ve got one.
Fleas are small, wingless, parasitic bloodsucking vampires that live on the bodies of their hosts and feed on their blood. These pests can cause many problems in the house and the yard, which is why they need to be removed as soon as possible.
Yes, fleas are visible to the human eye. But it’s way easier to see them with a magnifying glass, so grab one if you’ve got one.
Fleas have an exoskeleton covered with hairs and can jump up to 300 times their body length. They are visible to humans due to a reflective layer of scales on their bodies that reflect light.
Can You Differentiate the Flea Bite From Other Pests?
When a flea bites an animal, it injects its saliva into the skin, causing irritation and itching that causes an allergic reaction. Fleas have been around for centuries and have evolved into different species with different ways of biting humans and animals.
They have a hard time biting through the fur of animals such as guinea pigs, but will completely infest dogs and cats. If left unchecked, fleas can kill the animal.
When it comes to humans, they can bite through our skin with relative ease. When fleas bite, small discolored rings and bumps appear that later turn red and cause significant itching. They commonly bite the ankles because the area is in their jump range and commonly exposed.
Flea bites are often confused with mosquito bites, but there are some differences that you should know about. Mosquito bites are more painful than flea bites because they hit more nerve endings. Fleas bite the surface of your skin, while mosquito bites go deeper into the skin to reach blood vessels and nerve endings.
In the past, flea bites were considered a minor nuisance that was easily ignored, while mosquito bites were considered a serious risk. However, in recent years, flea and mosquito bites have been lumped into one equally annoying and potentially dangerous category.
How Big Are Fleas When They Bite?
The body size of a flea is about 1/8 to 3/8 inches long, and it can jump about 6 inches. Fleas are known for jumping three times the length of their body in a single leap.
To give a general idea, adult fleas are about the same size as fruit flies. They’re commonly mixed up, but fruit flies don’t infest pets or people.
Generally, the size of female fleas is double that of males, approximately 3 mm long.
However, they are smaller than ticks and resemble the size of a small sand grain. Moreover, the abdomen of a female flea is quite bigger than the male counterparts.
What Do Fleas Look Like?
Typically, Fleas look like small reddish dark-colored pests with little hairs all over their bodies with strong hind legs that are adapted specifically for jumping. They appear glossy in light due to the shiny texture of the upper layer of their body.
Adult fleas have armor. Their exoskeleton is very tough and can’t rupture easily.
Ultimately, the flea body also has three segmented and short antennae that cover deep grooves on each side of the head. The grooves are antennal fossae that protect the antennae from being damaged while moving through host hair.
Can You Find the Flea Infestation in Your Surroundings?
Fleas are easy to spot, once you know what to look for. They have very distinct characteristics that can help you identify them. Fleas typically live on the host animal in a flea population cluster called a “flea colony.”
A flea colony is composed of several adults and their eggs.
The adults live on the host animal’s blood, while the eggs develop into larvae that feed on the blood of other animals in the area.
Here are some major signs that will help you determine the flea infestation:
1. Fleas on Pets
The presence of fleas on pets is a good indicator of an infestation. Some signs that a pet has fleas include scratching, biting, hair loss, or changes in behavior. It can also be seen when a flea jumps onto a person’s hand or clothes while petting their pet.
You may also notice fleas on your skin during grooming or bathing if your pet has fleas.
2. Flea Eggs
Another common sign of fleas is their tiny dotted eggs. Normally, the eggs on the floor can help to determine the extent of an infestation. If they are present in large numbers, then it is likely that there is a severe infestation.
Unfortunately, flea eggs can be found on the floor even after a flea infestation has been eliminated. And those eggs can reignite the infestation!
This is because they lay their eggs in cracks and crevices where they have a high chance of survival. In many cases, The eggs are stuck to the walls or furniture.
Flea eggs are oval-shaped with a dark brown color that can be seen on light surfaces such as wallpaper or carpeting, but they are very hard to see with the naked eye.
3. Infestation Grounds
The larvae are more likely to be found during the summer when they are more active. They usually live near the ground, so they may be found near carpets or rugs where they can hide during the day.
The larvae are more likely to be found during the summer.
Fleas are most active at night and during the early morning hours. They may also be found near food sources such as pet droppings or garbage cans. Fleas are attracted to warmth and moisture, so they tend to be found on the ground or near the floorboards.
4. Flea Droppings
Flea droppings (aka flea dirt) are the most common way to determine the infestation density. They are small, dark, and round in shape. Moreover, feces are usually found in clusters of 10 or more and sometimes up to 1,000. Fleas are usually found on the pet’s hair coat and around the mouth area. They leave a blackish-brown fecal matter that looks like coffee grounds.
5. Pets With Pale Gums
If your pet has pale gums, it is an indication that there is a high likelihood that you have a flea infestation in your home.
There are other things to consider when determining the level of infestation, but pale gums are one of the most important factors.
One thing to keep in mind is that this method only works for animals that have fur on their bodies and not for those with hairless skin. Therefore, pale gums are not a reliable indicator of flea infestation in all cases.
It is always better to check with your vet to ensure no other cause for the pale gum coloration.
5. Flea Bites
Besides, flea bites are usually red and itchy; they are mostly found on the torso, head, arms, legs, and tail of pets. These bites happen when fleas bite humans or pets.
Fleas prefer to bite animals because they have higher blood sugar levels than humans. Thus, the most common way to find out if there is a flea infestation is by looking for flea bites on your pet or yourself.
How to Get Rid of a Flea Infestation
Fleas are very challenging to eliminate as they live in various places and are resistant to many treatments. They can also lay eggs on your pet, hatching and further spreading the infestation.
Luckily, there are ways you can prevent a flea infestation from happening in the first place! The best way to get rid of fleas is to use natural methods and avoid harsh chemicals.
Another effective way to get rid of fleas is by vacuuming them, killing any eggs or larvae in the carpet or furniture. Some methods include using hot water, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol, dipping your pet into a solution of water and dish soap (dish soap kills fleas), or sprinkling cayenne pepper on your pet’s bedding.
Indeed, there are many products available in the market that you can purchase, but they vary in effectiveness and cost.
